We’ve recently compiled a list of records we think every audiophile should get to know better, along the lines of “the 1001 records you need to hear before you die,” but with less accent on morbidity and more on the joy these amazing audiophile-quality recordings can bring to your life.

The list is purposely wide-ranging. It includes some famous titles (Tumbleweed Connection, The Yes Album), but for the most part I have gone out of way to choose titles from talented artists that are less well known (Atlantic Crossing, Kiln House, Dad Loves His Work), which simply means that you won’t find Every Picture Tells a Story or Rumours or Sweet Baby James on this list because masterpieces of that caliber should already be in your collection and don’t need me to recommend them.

Which is not to say there aren’t some well known masterpieces on the list, because not every well known record is necessarily well known to audiophiles, and some records are just too good not to put on a list of records we think every audiophile ought to get to know better.

Out of the thousands of records we have auditioned and reviewed, there are a couple of hundred that have stood the test of time for us and we feel are deserving of a listen. Many of these will not be to your taste, but they were to mine.

First up: Commoner’s Crown

This list has what we consider to be the top titles from 1972. These are the best of the best from that year and, depending on your taste in music, deserve a place in your collection.

Here are all the albums from 1972 that we’ve reviewed to date (which overlaps quite a bit with the group above). Any of these, depending on how much you like the artists or music, are worth owning. Those of you looking for audiophile sound quality are advised to avoid any modern reissue and stick to vintage pressings and, if possible, Hot Stampers.